Abov the Noise – January 2024

Abov App | Posted on January 30, 2024 |

January 2024 – Issue #16

Abov: Elevate Your Whiskey

Happy New Year! It’s 2024, and we’re all looking forward to the year to come. From whiskies that celebrate Lunar New Year, the coolest calendar we’ve seen in a while, and the top 10 whiskies of 2023 as rated by you; we’re zipping all over the world of whiskey to kick off 2024!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Lunar Whiskies!

While the calendar just switched to 2024, there’s another new year celebration that will not happen until next month. Plenty of time to stock up on these celebratory whiskies from GlenGrant that commemorate Lunar New Year! While not available quite yet, they will hit the shelves of major distributors in SE Asia soon!

AWARD SEASON IS HERE

Top 10 of 2023

Think of this as basically the Oscars of whiskey. Alright, more like the local community newspaper awards of whiskey… Regardless, we are excited to share our sixth annual Top 10 list!

Based on the in-app ratings of the ABOV community, we narrowed the list down to whiskeys released or added to the app in late 2022 and throughout 2023. While there are some distilleries that are consistently on our lists, the number one may surprise you.

Check Out the Full Top 10 List Here >>

A BETTER CALENDAR

The Bourbon Calendar

Speaking of turning over calendars, Breaking Bourbon officially kicked off their 2024 bourbon release calendar. While the start of the year is often a slow time for distillers adding releases, this will help you find the newest whiskies out there! We’ll be sure to add these to the database so you can start adding them to your wishlist.

See the Full Calendar >>

A NEW HIGH SCORE

Another Record Whisky

Leave it to Macallan to keep themselves in the news and at the top of the list of “whiskies for people with some extra scratch lying around”. The 100-year-old bottle of Macallan Adami, barrel-aged for 60 years and bottle-conditioned for nearly 40 more, went for over £2.2M at auction. Even the auctioneers were surprised; they had expected it to fetch £750k.

WHAT'S IN YOUR GLASS?

Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon

What whiskey was added to the most collections in 2023? The classic bottling of Buffalo Trace, by far. Throughout the year, we’ve shared stories and reviews of some of BT’s hard to find releases, but you all at least want to get a taste of what they are offering.

While prices for everything from Buffalo Trace have shot up, it’s a very solid bourbon when you can track it down at retail prices!

USER REVIEW OF THE MONTH

MarcHD – Collectivum XXVIII – 92/100

“Possibly the most well balanced and delicious blend I have ever encountered.

I thought it would be too diluted to be able to discern any of the singular characteristics of the malts, but it was not the case.

Truly amazing whisky this and what you would think JW Blue Label aught to be.”

See more of our favorite reviews >>

WHAT THE ABOV TEAM IS DRINKING

Sean – @WhiskyCEO

Knob Creek 18 Year Old

Coincidentally I had the chance to taste this last month before I put together the 2023 Top List (SPOILER: it’s on there!). But WOW was this a tasty bourbon!

18 years is quite old for a bourbon, but Knob Creek pulls it off. While it is definitely a boldly oaked flavor profile, that is well balanced with sweet vanilla and caramel. Definitely did not feel that this one was “over-oaked” by any means.

Coming in at 100 proof (50% ABV), it’s not full cask strength, but don’t let that dissuade you. You get a paradoxically robust flavor with an easy sipping proof that makes the Knob Creek 18 dangerously delicoius.

Given what comparably aged bourbons sell for, not that there are many out there at this maturation level, $200-250 retail for this bourbon feels like a steal!

RATING: 93/100

MOST COVETED WHISK(E)Y THIS MONTH

Lagavulin 16 Year Old

Perpetually one of the most popular drams in the app, it’s no surprise that Lagavulin 16 was found on the most wishlists once again for the full year of 2023. And for good reason!

Whether you are a devout disciple in the Religion of Peat, or you are just trying to branch out and get your toes wet with a new style, you cannot go wrong with Lagavulin 16.

It’s the perfect balance of peat, oak, and sherry. It’s easy to drink, but also quite complex. Every re-tasting will uncover something new!

We are not exaggerating when we say this is a bottle that belongs in every whiskey drinker’s home bar.

THANKS TO OUR PATRONS

We want to highlight those individuals who have joined our Patreon since it was launched in October. We decided to do this by giving patrons access to a unique dark-mode profile and special indicators on their feed posts. A reminder that all proceeds from the Patreon go to hosting and development to keep this app going forward!